Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, blending creamy chicken filling with a buttery, golden Ritz cracker topping for a truly indulgent family dinner.
Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends, this casserole turns simple ingredients into a rich, flavorful meal that’s as easy to make as it is to love.
Creamy Core: What You’ll Need for Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
- Cooked shredded chicken – The heart of the casserole, providing protein and texture; rotisserie chicken works beautifully for convenience.
- Cream cheese – Adds rich creaminess and body to the casserole base.
- Cottage cheese – Contributes tang and smoothness, balancing the creaminess with a slight curd texture.
- Sour cream – Infuses extra creaminess and subtle tang to enhance the flavor profile.
- Condensed cream of chicken soup – A classic casserole staple, tying everything together with savory depth.
- Garlic powder & onion powder – Simple pantry seasonings that lift and deepen the overall flavor.
- Ritz crackers – Buttery and crisp, they bring essential crunch to contrast the creamy base.
- Unsalted butter – Melts into the cracker topping, creating that golden, irresistible crust.
How to Make It: Million Dollar Chicken Casserole in a Few Simple Steps
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and shredding the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth.
Fold in the shredded chicken until well-coated, then spread the mixture into a 9×9 baking dish.
In a separate bowl, crush a sleeve of Ritz crackers and mix them with melted butter. Sprinkle this buttery crumble over the casserole.
Bake uncovered for 40 minutes until bubbling and golden. Garnish with parsley if you’d like a pop of color.
Million Dollar Tips for a Richer Dish
To elevate flavor and flexibility, consider using a mix of dark and white meat for a juicier texture. Let your cream cheese come fully to room temperature so it blends easily and doesn’t clump.
Add-ins like chopped cooked bacon, sautéed mushrooms, or a handful of shredded cheddar can offer a savory twist. For a lighter version, try Greek yogurt in place of sour cream or opt for low-fat cottage cheese.
The Ritz crackers are non-negotiable for crunch, but if needed, saltines or crushed pretzels can be used in a pinch—just know it will change the flavor slightly.
Leftovers? Here’s How to Store and Reheat with Ease
Store leftover casserole in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or warm larger portions in the oven at 325°F until hot.
To freeze, assemble the casserole without the cracker topping, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil. It keeps well frozen for up to 4 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge, add the cracker topping, and bake as usual—just allow a few extra minutes for a cold dish.
For make-ahead convenience, prep the filling a day early and refrigerate. Just add the topping before baking to maintain the crisp texture.
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 32 Ritz crackers 1 sleeve
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 10.75 oz condensed cream of chicken soup do not dilute
- 4 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 cups cooked shredded chicken (approximately 1½ lbs boneless breasts)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Shred the cooked chicken into manageable, bite-sized portions.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, condensed cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until uniformly incorporated.
- Add the shredded chicken into the bowl and stir until the meat is evenly coated with the creamy blend. Transfer this mixture into a 9×9-inch baking pan, spreading it evenly.
- In a separate bowl, crush the Ritz crackers into small crumbs. Drizzle the melted butter over the crumbs and toss to coat thoroughly.
- Evenly distribute the buttered cracker mixture over the top of the casserole.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 40 minutes, or until the surface is golden and the filling is bubbling. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
Leftovers should be refrigerated in an airtight container and consumed within 3–4 days.
For advance preparation, assemble the filling a day ahead and store it in the baking dish, covered. Keep the crushed crackers separately and combine with butter just before baking. Let glass bakeware sit at room temperature before placing in the oven.
